Tank-car valve and gauge mechanism



AWM 6, w26. mgf'azam W. K.- AUCHINCLOSS TANK CAR VALVE AND GAUGE MECHANSM Filed Dec. 6, 1924 2 Sheets-Shee l TIT llll

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AWM/m@ "i Y f G, 1924 2 sheets-snaai 2 W1. K. AUCHENCLOSS TANK CAR VALVE AND GAUGE MECHANISM Filed Ds.

Patented 6, w26.

W'LLIAE K. AUCHINCL'OSS, OF EW YORK. N. Y'., ASISIGNB. AMERICN GAR MD FOUNDEY COMPANY, OF NEVI YORK. N. Y., A CORPORATIGN F NEW JERSEY.

TANEeCAR VALVE AND GAUGE MECHN .appli :ation filed December 6, 1924. Serial No. 75L35G.

ine` a citizen oi the llnited States. have in vented certain new and uscl'ul improve-- nieuts iu a 'l`ankCm `Valve and Gauge hitechanisni. ot which the following' is :i full. clear. and exact description. such as' will enahle others skilled in the art to which it appertaius to niake`and to use the saine, reference heinpr had to the accoinpanylug drawings. which illustrate the prete-rred torni of the invention. thouejh it is to he understood that the invention is not limited to the exact, detailsl ot' 'onstructiou shown and tlescrihed: as it is olivious that various modiiications there-oic within the :lt-ope. ol'-the claims will occur' t-i persons skilled in the art.

ln said drawings:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view through a tank car lshowing;` the, improved gauge and valve operating nieans u ith the ,gauge disposed in a collapsed position within the valve operating stein or keqv;

Figure 2 is a view Asimilar to Figure- 1 showing the gauge rod projected into position for reading;

Figure 3 is an enlarged 'fragmentary sec tional view showinpr the position ot' the gauge rod when the donie portion of the tank `ar is"partially lled with fluid;

Figure 4 is a View similar to Figure 3 showing' the position of the gauge rod when the tank is partially emptied;-

Figure 5 is an enlarged view of the upper end portion ot the gauge rod and showing the scale markings provided thereon;

Figure 6 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional View through the valve operating stem or key. and

Figure 7 is an enlarged view showing' the lower end portion ot the gauge rod in elevation and the float .and sainple removing cup in section.

An object ot the invention is to provide a combined valve operating device and gauge mechanism, which can he mounted in con neetion with a tank car of a conventionalv construction and oe used as meansy tor adjusting the outlet valve in the bottoni. of the tank, and also as means tor deterniininpY the amount or liquid contained-in the tank.

nother object ofthe invention is to so construct this device tha it may also be used as ineans for withdrawing a sample ot the contents of the tank and to further so construct and mount the device that the outlet valve may he adjusted. a sample renioved or the gauge read to determine the amount otE liquid in the tank without it heinibr necessary to remove the dome cover.

Another object et the invention is to so mount this device that the cap or castingy through which the upper end portion et the stein extends may be also provided With a valve controlled lay-pass through Which air may pass into the donie to prevent the formation of a vacuum when the valve is opened and liquid permitted to pass out; of the tank.

This improved device is tor use in eonnec-1 ionwith a tank car which will he of the ,-onventional constriu'tion provided for shippini;` oil and other liquids This car tank which is indicated in general h v the numeral 1 is provided with the usual doine 2 having a head 3 and doinc cover 4 which is screwed into the usual collar 5 so that this donie cover may.' he renim'ed when filling' oi; airingthe tank. The tank l will also he. provided with the usual self locking' valve which Vis indicated in general liv the nu'nieral (i and serves to control the passage of the. liquid through the outlet in the liottoin ot the tank. It is desired to perinit this valve to lie opened 4and closed without it heine' necessary to reniove the doine cover and therefore the iniproved device forming' the sul'iject-niatter of this invention has heen developed.

At one side of the collar 5 which carries the donie cover the head 3 ot the dome has been provided with an opening 7 which is disposed above vthe valve 6 and will loe covered by a cap 8. This cap 8 is 'formed as a casting` and will he secured upon the dome head 3 in any desired manner so that it covers the opening 7. An upwardly extending' neck 9 is provided upon this cap and this neck 9 Will be disposed. about a bushing sleeve 10 which is screwed into the upper end portion ot a passage 11 formed in the cap. The cap is also provided with a ley-pass 12 leading;` troni the neck 9 and at its lower end this hy-pas is provided with a check valve 13 which will extend through the openingr 7 into the vdome. This check valve 13 opens inwardly and its-'Will therefore be seen that when li ui'd is'pel mitted to pass out of the tank t ough the other throughout the length of the tube so that liquid 1n the tank muy pass into this hollow stern or key. The lower end portion 16 of the tube is tapered downwardly, es shown in Figs. 1 und 6, und terminates 1u an extension 17 which will he rectangular in cross section so that when the stein or key is put in lace the tapered lower endl ortion 16 and rectangular extension 17 avi ht into the socket 18 provided in the threaded 20 stem ,19 of the vulve which controls the '25 througli the bushing'sleeve 10 and hus a.

passage of liquid out ofthe tank end causes the valve to be openedor elosed when the hollow stem or key 14 is rotated. The upper end portion of thishollow key extends threaded upper end portion 2O which is disposed above the neck 9 und carries' .u turning head or block 21. rlhis 'turning he'ud 21 which will have dat wrench engaging side feces is screwed upon the seat 22 in which is provided a. filler 23 which extends to provide abutment means for engaging 'the upper'edge of the stein. This iller is in the form of metal which will be r.Welded-'to the stern and thereby serve to very irmly hold the turning heed upon the stem. The cver or hood 24 will be screwed upon the neral; 9, es shown in Fig. 1, and when in place will serve to enclose the upper end portionof the stem and turning heed and 5` also serve to prevent dust and other foreign mutter from eccun'iuleting in the .neck and by-pnss 12. 'lhis'cover 24 is provided with handles 25 so that it may be easily turned when it is to be removed or put in pluce and is further provided with :L socliet'extension 26 which is of the roper size to receive the turning head when th cover is removed from the neck and' turned to an inverted position. It will thus been seen that this cover may be used es a wrench for turning the stem.

In order to determine the'umount of liquid in the our tank there has been provided u gauge rod 27 which is formed of metal and has its upper end vportion provided with scale markings. These scale merkings are shown in Fig. 5 ond referring to this ligure it will be seen that the gauge rod is so marked that it provides an u per 'set of seele merk- 28 shove the dividing line 2li ond e.

revenus lower set of seule markings below the dividingr limy This gui'lge is to liroi` the iiout type und therefore there has heen provided a float Ill which is formed as u metal cylinder'. portion of the rod 27, us shown in Fig. 'l'. hud Iut its lower end is provided with u head serured in the body of the cylinder und having un opening receiving the cxtreme lower end of the rod. This cxtreme lower endgof the rod is formed into n heud 33 which will engage the under foce of the heed 32 und serve to support the cylindricul iiout upon the rod. Above the float there hns also been provided 'a cup 34 which is disposed about the rod und has its lower end resting upon the upper end of the float 31. The upper end of the vfloat. and the lower end or the cup ere curved in opposite directions in cross section thereby pro."iding u space which will be ill'ed with metal 35 so that the dont and cup can be welded toffethcr. This weld provides u very good Joint between the Hout and cup.

When this device is in' use it will be i11- stul d as shown in Fig. 1 with .the cap sccure upon the dome head und the hollow key or stem extending downwardly through the dome und bodyv of the car tank. The gauge is dispose within the tubulnr stem and will be limited in its downward movement by engagement with the rivet 3G which extends through'this stem :is shown in Fig. 1. -When the gauge is disposed Within this tubular stem its upper end will terminate adjacent the upper end of the stem so that the upper end ot this rod will not prevent the plug 3T from being screwed into the upper end portion of the turning head. Therefore when the tank is filled this plug will serve to keep the gauge within the tubular stem und the cap or hood 24 cnn be lremoved without. the gouge rod heine.V project/ed upwardly from the stem.

When it is desired to remove u sample of the liquid from the cur thunk und measure the. amount of liquid in the tank the plug 37 `will be removed ufter the cover 24 has been removed and the gauge will be bodily withdrawn through the upper end of the hollow stern. A c ertuin amount of the liquid will be withdrawn by the cup 34 and this can be poured, out und examined. The gauge will then he replaced in the stem endl the upper end portion carrying the scale markings will project through the upper end of the stem, as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4. If the liquid extends up into the dome of the ear tonic the seule markings 30 will bedisclosed above the turning head es shown in Fig. 3, but if the liquid only partially fills the tank or completely lls it the lower scale markinfrs 30 will be hidden from View Within the tulliuier stem and the 'upper scale markings .be disclosed for reading, as

This iloat fits upon the lower end k shown in Figs. 2 and It will therefore he Seen that with this device it can he detertmned whether or not. the liquid entends up inte the dome or is all eontained within the 'hody or' the car tank. l When it is desired teiwithdraiv a portion of the liquid 5from the eer tank it is simply necessary to invert the @over 24tso thatthe socket 2G may he engaged with the turning head 21 and the stein een then he rotated to open the vi. ive. 'lhe .liquid will then pass out ol' the tank through the opening controlled hythis valve. lter a. eudieient quantity of liquid has been passed out of the tank the stem will again he rot-ated to close the valve. The vau'gfev may 'he watched during the time the liquid is passing out ot' the tank or if desired the gauge may be moved into the stein and the plug re laced while the liquid is paeeing 2@ out of t e tank and after a sutlieient quantity has heen Withdrawn the plug again .removed so that the gauge will u iove upwardly and indieate the amount which has heen withdrawn. There has heen, thereiore, provided a device which will nerve very `elieetively as a valve operating vdevice and as a gauge. y

Vlfhat is claimed is:

` l. ln combination a tank havingr an outlet in its bottoni, a control valve for the outlet of Said tank, an operating key for said valve extending upwardly from the valve through the tank for operation externally ot' the ehe-Ck valve in the openingl in the top of the tank for controlling the passage of air inte the tank, and a float gauge earf ried hy said valve operating' key and adapted to reject externally of the tank.

`n combination a tank having an outlet in its bottom, a Control valve raised and lowered for openingr and closing the outlet voi" said tank, an operating key tor Said valve extending upwardly troni the valve through the tank for operation externally of the tank, and gauge nieans carried hy said key for indicatingr the amount ot' niaterial in the tank.

3. ln a tank ear u tank, a cap for cloningr an opening in the tank dome. a rherk valve mounted in a hy-pass in said cap tor controlling the passage of air into the tank, having an outlet in its bottoni, a control valve for the outlet ofsaid tank. a hollow operating key for `Said valve extending upwardly tron-1 the valve through said cap for operation externally' of the tank, Said key being perforated for permittingr fluid in the tank to enter the key, aiuta.tioat'igaugpze slidablo in the key and adapted to 'project through the upper endjofv the key' for observation externally ofthetaxgk.

el. In eombinationxa tank having an outlet in its bottom, a control valve for the outlet of said tank, ahollow operating key for said valve extending upwardly freni the valve through the tank for operation eXter nelly et the tank, said key bei-ngr perforated l'or permitting fluid in the/tank to enter the key, and gauge means readable exter* na-lly of the tank and havin;- a'tloat slidable in said hollow key, said key being` Coustrueted to permit removal of the float -troni the top thereof.

5. ln a` tank ear a tank luiving..r an outlet in ital bottoni. a rontrol valve raised and lowered tor openingy and closing: the outlet of said tank. an operationr key tor said Avalve extendingjr through the tank doute and grange means rarried by Said stein and read able externally ol the tank dome for indieatin;r the amount ol material in th.: tank.

6. In Combination a tank having au outlet iii its bottoni. a rontrol valve for the outlet` a hollow perforated operating,r key for laid valve extending,r upwardly from the valve and externally of said tank, a gauge rod lSliding' in laaid key and projectable through the upper end thereof for reading'. a float'. carried hy the lower end portion of saidrod, and removable closure means for the upper end ot' said hollow key.

T. ln roinbinution a tank havin;r au outlet in its bottoni, a rontrol valve l'or the outlet. a hollow perforated operating: key for said valve. extending: upwardly from the valve. and externally ot' said tank, a gauge rod sliding in said key and projet-table through the upper end thereof for reading, a tloat carried by the lower end portion of said rod, and a cup carried by sa'id rod for removingr a portion ot' the contenta 0l the tank when the rod` float and eup are removed from the hollow key through the upper end thereof.

- H. ln combination a tank havint,y an outlet in its bottoni. a control valve for the outlet, a hollow perforated operating?r keyfor said valve extending upwardly from thevalve and externally oi said tank, a gauge rod elidinli.r in Iaid -key and projeotable through the upper rnd thereot for reading, a lloat rairiod by the lower end portion of said r'od, a eup pouitioned about the rod above said lloat for removing' a portion of the contents of thi` tank when the rod, cup and float are removed through the upper end of the hollow key, and a removable closure t'or the open upper end ol said key.

Sl. ln combination a tank having an outlet in its bottoni, a control valve for the outlet, a hollow perforated operating key for said valve extending; upwardly from the valve and externally of said tank, a eap carried by said tank and rotatably receivingy theprojeetiiugr upper end portion of Said stem, a turning head rigidly carried by the upper end of said stem above said cap and internally threaded, a gauge rod Sliding in said stein for movement; through said turning head and having a oat carried by its lower1A end. a closure plug screwed into said turning head, and a cover removably carried by said cap and disposed about the turning head and projecting upper ciid portion ot' said 4stein and having a portion for engaging the turning head and rotating the head and stein when the cover is removed from the cap and inverted.

10. A gauge and valve operating device comprising a tubular stein having valve engaging means at its'lowei end and open at its upper end` a gauge rod slidable in said stein, and a float carried by the lower end portion ot' .said rod and removable through the upper end of the stcni.

11. A gauge and valve operating device comprisingr a tubular stem having valveengaging means at its lower end and open at its upper end, a gauge rod slidahle in said stein, a fioat upon the lower end portion of said rod, and a cup carried by the rod above the float for withdrawing a sample of the contents of a receptacle receiving the stein when the rod, loat and cup are withdrawn from the stem.v f?

12. gauge and valve operating device ooinprisiiig a tubular stein having valve eiigaging means at its lower end and o pen at its-upper end, a gauge rod slidable in said stem, and having a head at its lowei` end, a hollow float disposed about the lower end portion of said rod and resting upon the head at the end. of the rod, a cup disposed about the rod and resting upon said loat, and means for providing a tight joint between the cup and tioat.

13. In a structure of the charactendescribed, a ca for closing an opening in a tank dome, a ollow stem extending through said cap and rotatable therein and having' an open upper end, a gaiive rod sliding in said stem, and a float carried..by the lower ,end

`of said rod.

14., In a structure of the character de scribed, a cap for closing an o ening infra tank donie, a hollow stein extending through said cap and rotatable therein and. hgving an open upper end, a gauge rod sliding@ said stein, a float carried by the lower end of said rod, and a cup upon the rod above said float', 'said rod, cup and float being bodily removable from the stem through the open upper end thereof.

15. In a structure ot the character described, a cap for closingan opening in a4 tank dome, a hollow stem extending through said cap and rotatable therein and having an open upper end, a turning head having a threaded bore receiving a threaded upper end portion of said stein above said cap and having an internal annular seat intermediate its depth, a filler in said seat overlapnamens ping the upper edge of said stem to prevent movement of the turning head upon said stem, a closure plug screwed into said head above said stein, and a gauge rod sliding in said stein for projecting through the open upper end thereof when sai-d plug is removed and having e float at its lower end.

1G. In a structure of the' character described, a cap tor closing an opening in a tank dome, a hollow stern extending through .said cap and rotatable therein and having an open upper end, a turning head rigi upon the upper end of said stem, closure means removably carried by said turning head, and a gauge rod sliding in said steinfor projecting through the open upper end thereof when said closure means is opened and having a float at its lower end.

17. In a structure of the character described, a cap for closing an opening in a tank dome, said cap having an upwardly disposed neck provided with a downwardly disposed by-pass opening through the cap, a check valve controlling passage of air through the by-pass into a tank dome having the cap secured thereon, a hollow stem passing vertically through the cap at the neck thereoi` and having its upper end extending above` the neck, a turning head carried by the upper end of saidstem for permitting rotation of the stem, a gauge rod sliding in saidstein and having a float at its loweren d,a closure plug removably secured in said turning head to retain the gauge rod Within the stem, and a cover removably secured upon said neck and enclosing the.

turning head and extended upper portion of said stem, said cover having a portion for 'engaging said turning head and handle means for facilitatin rotation of the cover when engaged with tie turning head.

18. In a tank car, a tank having an out'- let in the bottom thereof, a control valve for said outlet,'a -ke' extending through the ome of the/tan and into the tank for erating said control valve, a by-pass in e tank dome having a check valve therein to admit air to the tank'and gauge means carried by ysaid key and readable externally of the donie-auindicatingthe amount of material in the tank;

19. In a tank car, a tank having an outlet in the bottoni thereof, a cont-rol valve for saidoutlet, means comprising a key operable troin'above the top of said dome for controlling said control valve and gaugeineans carried by said key and readable ex# ternally of the tank and dome for indicating the arnount'of material in the tank.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

` WLLIAM K. AUCHINCLOSS. 

